{"id":9692,"date":"2026-11-10T20:14:51","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T20:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yogamatsya.com\/?page_id=9692"},"modified":"2026-11-12T11:47:34","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T11:47:34","slug":"pranayama-breath","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/yogamatsya.com\/en\/pranayama-breath\/","title":{"rendered":"Pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma \u2013 The Breath of Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Matsya Yoga \u00b7 Knowledge<\/p>\n

Pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma \u2013 The Breath of Life<\/h1>\n

The art of guiding life energy through the breath<\/p>\n

To the breathing techniques<\/a> Pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma in the teacher training<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\"Matsya<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Introduction<\/p>\n

What is Pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma?<\/h2>\n

Pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma<\/strong> \u2013 usually simply written pranayama \u2013 is the oldest yoga technique handed down to us. The B\u1e5bhad\u0101ra\u1e47yaka Upani\u1e63ad already describes the conscious guiding of the breath, long before there were postures (more on this in Roots of Yoga<\/a>). On this page you will find the foundations of yogic breathing exercises as we teach them in our teacher training, and all articles on the individual techniques.<\/p>\n

Pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma, which means either \u201cpr\u0101\u1e47a-ay\u0101ma\u201d (pr\u0101\u1e47a, energy + ay\u0101m, expansion) or \u201cpr\u0101\u1e47a-\u0101y\u0101ma\u1e25\u201d (\u0101y\u0101ma\u1e25, restraint, control, stopping), is the art of controlling life energy (pr\u0101\u1e47a) through the conscious regulation of the breath.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the yogic traditions, \u0101sana is practised as preparation for pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma. It is said that once a person is ready for pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma, all the powers and positive effects of \u0101sana can also be attained through pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma alone. Pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma is crucial for all yogic practices, especially for Ku\u1e47\u1e0dalin\u012b Yoga.<\/p>\n

There are many different pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma techniques that evoke different pranic movements and have specific effects on body and mind. Some generate fiery energy, others activate the energy in the abdomen. Others again cool the mind, while still others purify the channels through which this energy flows.<\/p>\n

Among all breathing techniques, N\u0101\u1e0di\u015bodhana, alternate nostril breathing, is regarded as the most complete \u2013 more on this in the article on kumbhaka and alternate nostril breathing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\"N\u0101\u1e0d\u012bs<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Other pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101mas offer specific beneficial effects, while N\u0101\u1e0di\u015bodhana offers all beneficial effects. As strong as your faith and devotion are, so strong will the effects of pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma be. With devotion to the Lord N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a, one should always eat sattvic food.<\/p>\n